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20 years since the Salzburg Principles that emerged from the Bologna Process, the 2025 EUA-CDE Annual Meeting will reflect on two decades of progress and achievements in doctoral education while looking ahead to new horizons in an ever-evolving society.
Since their formulation in 2005, the Salzburg Principles have become a cornerstone of doctoral education, with their relevance and influence continually reaffirmed in Europe. Over the course of three days, participants will look back at the influence of the Salzburg Principles and how they have shaped doctoral education, gaining firsthand insights from those directly involved in their development. The upcoming Annual Meeting will also assess the current landscape, assessing the progress against the original ten principles and exploring the necessary steps to fully unlock their potential.
A dynamic programme composed of expert talks and interactive sessions will tackle a broad spectrum of issues. Topics will include the impact of current geopolitical developments on research, with particular attention to knowledge security and dual-use research in an increasingly complex world. Conversations will also highlight the importance of doctoral programmes for Europe’s economic and technological competitiveness, touching on how policy changes such as institutional autonomy and research assessment reforms are shaping the future landscape of doctoral education.
In addition, EUA-CDE will host a dedicated session to present the key findings from a comprehensive study that will collect information on recent trends and main achievements in doctoral education since the creation of the Salzburg Principles.
This year’s conference will provide participants with opportunities for discussions, debates and networking, also outside the formal programme.
EUA-CDE Annual Meetings have become the largest and most comprehensive gatherings of academic leaders, senior academics, doctoral education professionals, postdoctoral researchers, doctoral candidates and other stakeholders working on doctoral education. They are open to anyone with responsibilities and interest in this field.
Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of the UNIL Rectorate, I am delighted to welcome you to our campus and to our beautiful region. It is a great honor and a pleasure to host this year’s Annual Meeting of the European University Association’s Council for Doctoral Education, an event dedicated to shaping the future of doctoral education across Europe.
The 2025 meeting is particularly significant for us. On the one hand, it marks the 20th anniversary of the Salzburg Principles. Those guidelines remain as relevant as ever, serving as a foundation for transformation and a compass for navigating the complexities of modern academic and societal challenges. On the other hand, it is the first time that the EUA-CDE Annual Meeting will return to Lausanne since the network’s first conferences in 2008 and 2009. For our institution, with its close connection to the establishment of the CDE, this occasion carries a special sense of pride and celebration.
UNIL’s local and international bonds are crucial. Training in research is not just about individual achievement - it is about making a difference together. Doctoral education equips researchers with the critical thinking skills, creativity and expertise needed to tackle today’s most pressing challenges. Whether in addressing the climate crisis, advancing medical breakthroughs, or shaping public policy, PhD candidates play an essential role in producing the knowledge and solutions that the world depends on. At UNIL, we are committed to fostering an environment that supports doctoral researchers as they develop their original perspectives, thus helping them to make an impact, in Switzerland, in Europe and beyond.
As you participate in the 2025 Annual Meeting, I invite you to take a moment to explore the area. Nestled between Lake Geneva and the Alps, Lausanne offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness and academic tradition. I hope this inspiring setting will nourish your reflections and provide opportunities for meaningful connections!
With warm regards,
Frédéric Herman Rector, University of Lausanne
With roots going back nearly 500 years, the University of Lausanne (UNIL) is today composed of seven faculties and caters for more than 14’000 students and 2’700 researchers, with close to 130 nationalities. Located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland and on the shores of Lake Geneva, the main campus enjoys spectacular views to the French Alps and a direct connection to nature, with forests and rivers woven among its buildings. It’s a setting that makes UNIL an ideal location for thoughtful discussion and collaborative learning.
The University of Lausanne is a state institution, specialised in environmental sciences, medicine, life sciences, human and social sciences. Three of its seven faculties are unique in Switzerland: law and criminal justice, biology and medicine, and geosciences and environment. The University had a leading role in the creation of the CDE, and has long placed a strong emphasis on the support of the researcher community. With over 2'000 doctoral candidates and 500 postdoctoral researchers, and specialist units to care for their specific needs, it is one of the pioneers in the Swiss landscape of doctoral education.
The University is dedicated to promoting sustainability and preparing students and society to tackle global environmental challenges. UNIL was placed on the podium for WWF rankings of Swiss higher education institutions in 2024, based on criteria for sustainability strategy, student and teacher involvement, and the resources allocated to implement sustainability measures.
The area of Lausanne is very dynamic and offers the University the unique possibility to collaborate closely with other academic institutions, sports federations, medical institutions and private industries located nearby. UNIL researchers also work with colleagues across the five continents, and numerous ties exist through bilateral agreements and the CIVIS network, allowing for the exchange of ideas, experiences, and friendships.
City of art, sport and learning, a destination for foodies and lovers of spectacular landscapes, Lausanne is a metropolis on a human scale packed with history and resolutely focused on the future. Its foundations by Lake Geneva (the Lac Léman for the locals!) date back to pre-Roman times, and you can visit the archaeological remains of Roman Losanna just down the road from the University campus.
Today, it is known as the “Olympic Capital”: home to the International Olympic Committee and many international sporting institutions. It’s a city with Michelin-rated restaurants, and the UNESCO-protected vineyards of Lavaux. And it’s home to both the University of Lausanne and the EPFL, alongside world-class specialist institutions such as the IMD Business School and the EHL Hospitality College. You can find more details on the Lausanne Tourism website.
The call for contributions for the 2025 EUA-CDE Annual Meeting is now closed.
We have now reached full capacity for the EUA-CDE Annual Meeting 2025.
The event organisers aim to ensure that all members who desire to attend the Annual Meeting can participate. However, in order to guarantee a balance between country and institution representations, the organisers may have to restrict attendance. Priority will be given to those who register early. Additional registrations will not be accepted once the event is full, even if this occurs before the registration deadline.
Early registration deadline is 23 April 2025.
Ultimate registration deadline is 21 May 2025.
Information on the pre-meeting events on Wednesday 4 June.
From 09:00-12:00 Opportunity for national and regional meetings self-organised by EUA-CDE members: There is an opportunity for EUA-CDE members to organise meetings together with their peers at a national or regional level. Please note that the number of rooms is limited. In case of interest in organising such a meeting please contact us at info@eua-cde.org as soon as possible and no later than 12 May 2025.
From 12:30-15:30 EUA-CDE is organising three pre-meeting workshops. For more information about the content , please consult the programme. You will be able to indicate your attendance in the Annual Meeting registration form which is accessible via the Register button on this page.
REGISTRATION FEES:
*Doctoral candidates: this fee is only for doctoral candidates from EUA-CDE member institutions. To benefit from this fee, please download the EUA Doctoral Candidate Certificate Form (under ''downloads'') and send to the events team (events@eua-cde.org). Please ensure it is signed and stamped by your institution’s secretariat.
**Non-CDE members (Industry/Private sector) – maximum 2 participants from the same company
The registration fee includes the participation to the whole event, including coffee breaks and lunches, the welcome reception on Wednesday 4 June, the dinner on Thursday 5 June and the farewell lunch on Friday 6 June. The name badge issued to you upon registration is required for admission to the meeting and all related events. You are kindly requested to wear your name badge at all times.
Participant fees do not cover travel and accommodation expenses or post-conference programmes.
Confirmation: Please note that by filling in the registration form for an event you agree to full payment of registration fees. Your registration will be confirmed by email. Please wait for your confirmation before making any further arrangements. Payment: Payment must be made upon confirmation and prior to the event either by bank transfer or credit card. The participant assumes full responsibility for paying all bank charges associated with the payment.
CANCELLATION FEES:
Liability: Neither EUA nor University of Lausanne will be liable for any losses, accidents or damage to persons or objects, regardless of the cause. Participants and companions attend the meeting and all related events at their own risk and responsibility.
Should you have any questions do not hesitate to contact the EUA Events Team at: events@eua-cde.org.
CONTACTS:
EUA Council for Doctoral Education & EUA Events Team
For enquiries regarding the programme, please contact:
Simon Marti, Head of EUA Council for Doctoral Education: simon.marti@eua.eu
Ana-Maria Peneoasu, Policy & Project Officer: ana.maria.peneoasu@eua.eu
EUA Events Team
For enquiries regarding registrations, payments, invoices, visa applications and general coordination, please contact:
Gemma Fagan, Events Officer: events@eua-cde.org
Contacts in Lausanne
Lausanne Tourism
For enquiries regarding accommodation and local information, please contact mouraux@lausanne-tourisme.ch
University of Lausanne
For enquires regarding the conference venue and accessibility on campus please contact: graduatecampus@unil.ch
Address of the EUA-CDE Annual Meeting venue:
Internef buildingUniversity of LausanneQuartier Centre1015 LausanneSwitzerland
Gala Dinner Venue (including self-guided tour):
The Olympic Museum, Quai d'Ouchy 1, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland
Booking your Hotel in Lausanne:
Please use the link below to make your hotel booking in Lausanne:
Plateforme de logement
Hotel reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to make your booking as soon as possible!
Practicalities: For more information on how to get to the venue and practicalities for the forum, please refer to this document.
Please note: Switzerland is not covered by the EU's "Roam Like at Home" regulations. This can lead to significant charges for calls, texts, and data usage if you are not prepared
